Mercedes-Benz GLS Operator's Manual page 173

Familiarize yourself with the characteristics of
your vehicle and the gear shift operation before
driving through difficult terrain.
The following driving systems are specially
adapted to off-road driving:
the Off-road drive program (vehicles without
R
Off-Road Engineering package)
( page 219)
Y
Off-road and Off-road Plus drive programs
R
(vehicles with Off-Road Engineering package)
( page 220)
Y
LOW RANGE off-road gear (vehicles with the
R
Off-Road Engineering package)
( page 221)
Y
Differential lock (vehicles with the Off-Road
R
Engineering package) (
Off-road ABS ( page 67)
R
Y
Off-road 4ETS ( page 70)
R
Y
®
Off-road ESP ( page 71)
R
Y
AIRMATIC package (vehicle level)
R
( page 188)
Y
DSR (Downhill Speed Regulation)
R
( page 218)
Y
Observe the following notes:
Stop the vehicle before starting to drive along
R
an off-road route. If necessary, select the off-
road program ( page 220) or shift to the
Y
LOW RANGE off-road gear (
Select a vehicle level that is suitable for the
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terrain. To avoid damaging the vehicle, make
sure there is always sufficient ground clear-
ance.
Check that items of cargo and loads are
R
stowed safely and are well secured
( page 305).
Y
Always keep the engine running and in gear
R
when driving on a downhill gradient. Activate
DSR ( page 218).
Y
Always keep the engine running and in gear
R
when driving down an incline.
Adapt your speed to the terrain. The rougher,
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steeper or more ruts on the terrain, the slower
your speed should be.
Do not jump with the vehicle as this will inter-
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rupt the vehicle's propulsion.
Drive with extreme care on unfamiliar off-road
R
routes where visibility is poor. For safety rea-
sons, get out of the vehicle first and survey
the off-road route.
page 221)
Y
page 221).
Y
Look out for obstacles, such as rocks, holes,
R
tree stumps and furrows.
Take care when turning on an uphill or down-
R
hill slope or when driving across a slope. The
vehicle could otherwise tip over.
Always keep the doors, the tailgate, the side
R
windows and the sliding sunroof closed while
the vehicle is in motion.
Do not shift the automatic transmission to
R
position i.
Observe the notes on off-road fording
R
( page 169).
Y
i
Information about retrofitting special all-ter-
rain tires is available from any qualified spe-
cialist workshop.
i
Do not use the HOLD function when driving
off-road, on steep uphill or downhill gradients
or on slippery or loose surfaces. The HOLD
function cannot hold the vehicle on such sur-
faces.
Checklist before driving off-road
!
If the engine oil warning lamp lights up while
the vehicle is in motion, stop the vehicle in a
safe place as soon as possible. Check the
engine oil level. The engine oil warning lamp
warning must not be ignored. Continuing the
journey while the symbol is displayed could
lead to engine damage.
Engine oil level: check the engine oil level
X
and add oil if necessary.
When driving on steep gradients, the engine
oil level must be sufficiently high to ensure a
correct oil supply in the vehicle.
DEF tank (BlueTEC vehicles): check the
X
level and add if necessary (
Tire-changing tool kit: check that the jack is
X
working and make sure you have the lug
wrench, a robust tow cable and a folding
spade in the vehicle.
Wheels and tires: check the tread depth and
X
pressure of the tires.
Check for damage and remove any foreign
X
objects, e.g. small stones, from the wheels/
tires.
Replace any missing valve caps.
X
Replace dented or damaged wheels.
X
Rims: dented or bent rims can result in a loss
X
of tire pressure and damage the tire bead.
Driving tips
171
page 158).
Y
Z